Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-09-30
(Cooy,ight, 1887, by Ward II. Lauon''

Nv narsonnl acquaintance with Mr. Lin
coin dates back to the autumn of lS4i. For
reasons that will appear further on that ac-
ouaintance ripened into personal friendship
and n professional and confidential init
macy which continued without jar or inter
,uption during the succeeding Is years,
forming by far the most valued treasure
my memory holds to-day. Mr.. Lincoln
stood Ivy me with answering fidelity in
all my early struggles to obtain footing
at the bar; and to his wise counsel and un-
selfish friendship am indebted for what
ever measure of success achieved in the
most eyentful wears of my life. In 1919 |
became his local partner and that connec-
ton was never formally dissolved but con
tinued until he babe adeu to our clients and
assumed the perilous burden of the Chief
Magstracy.
Il is my purpose in these recollectionS OF
that iustruus man to sketch many notable
incidents, characteristic adventures anu
events in his private ami public career
which have escaped the notice or were be
Yond the reach of his many biographcrS-
matters In brief, which came to my knowi-
edge in a large measure, if not solely
through my fortunate and long continued
association with him in both his pri"
at times pushed forward to undue promi-
nence in these sketches it will he because
of its convenience or rather necessity
certainly not from any motive of self-adu-
lation.
In the fall of 1S4,, attracted by glowing
accounts of material growth and progress
in that part Of the West, left my home i'll
what was then Berkeley county. Virginia,
and settled at Danville, Nermillion county,
Illinois. That county and Sangamon, in
GLIDING Springfield, the new capital OF the
State, were embraced in the Eighth Judi
cial Circuit which, at that early day, con
sisted of IA counties. 1t was then the habit
of lawyers, like their brethren of England,
Ito ride the circuit BY that circum-
stance the people came i'll contact with and
were enabled to note the distinguishing
traits of all the lawyers i'll the circuit
soon learned that the man most celebrated,
even in those pioneer days Tor oddity, orig
inality, wit, ability and eloquence, and that
region of the State, was Abraham Lincoln.
Ny great curiosity to s.e him was Srathed
soon after took up my residence ut pan
vile.
| was introduced to Mr.. Lincoln by Hon
John Y. Stuart, for some years his partner
at Springfield After Il comical survey of
my fashionable toggerr. my swallow tai
coat. white neck cloth and ruiiie,l shirt, an
astonishing outfit for a young limb of the
law in that settlement Mr.. Lincoln said
And SO you are a cousin of our friend John
j. Brown. he told me you were coming
Going to try your hand at the law, are
you:' was then delicate, slender boy,
still on the infant side Of 81, John j. Brown
was noted lawyer and highly gifted as an
orator. Mr.. Lincoln continued-''I should
know at glance that you are Nirgnian
but don't think you would succeed at
splitting rails. That was my occupation
at your age, and don't think have taken
as much pleasure in anything else from that
day to this. "
assured him, perhaps As sort OF de
fence against the eloquent condemnation
implied in my fashionable claw-hammer
that / had done great deal of hard m;S
ual labor in my time. Much amused at
this solemn declaration Mr.. Lincoln said
ooh yes; you Nirginans shed barrels of
perspration while standing off at distance
and experimenting the work your slaI DO
for you. 1t is different with u. Here it
is every felow for himself or h DON'T get
there -
Nj Lincoln soon learned, however that
my detestatiOn of that sama system of slave
labor was quite a pronounced a. his own,
and from that hour we We're friends Until
the day of his death it was my pleasure and
good fortune to retain his confidence I'M
shaken, "a Ii retained my affection I'M
broken
was his local partner first at Danville,
and afterward at Bloomington. We rode
the circuit together, travelling by buggy III
the dry season and on horseback in bad
weather, there being no railroads then in
that part of the State. Mr.. Lincoln was,
from the beginning Of his circuit riding
the light and life of the court the bar and
the people. He had defeated that redoubt
able champion of pioneer Methodsm, Rev
Peter Cartwright, in the last race for Con
greSs. Cartwright was an oddity in hi
way quite as original "a Lincoln himself
He was a foenan worthy OF Spartan steel
and Mr., Lincoln's fame was greatly en-
HANGED by his victory over the famou
preacher. Whenever it was known tina
Lincoln was to make a speech or argue
case, there was general IRISH and crowd
ed house IL mattered little what subjec
he was to discuss; Lincoln was Subje
enough for the people II was Lincoln the
wanted to hear and see; and his progress
around the circuit was marked by con
stantly recurring series Of ovation,.
Although Mr.. Lincoln was my senior b
: years, in one important particular,
certainly was, in marvellous degree, hi
acknowledged superior. One Of the fir
things | learned, after getting fairly unde
way as a lawyer, Ava, t. charge well fo
legal Services branch Of the practic
that Mr. Lincoln never could learn. /
fact the lawyers Of the circuit often con
planned that his fee, wcrr not at all con
mensurate with the service rendered. II
ut length left that branrh OF the hurine'
wholly TO me; and TO my tender mere
clients We're turned Over b be slaughter
according to my popular and more advance
idea of the dignity of our profession. tn
soon Led to serious and shocking embarraS
ment. ttssFl
Early in our practice gentleman by u
name of Scott placed in my hands a case
some importance. He had a d-nented sist,
who possessed property to the amount
$40, 900 mostly in cash. A conServato
as he was called had been appointed to tai
charge of the estate, and ~e were employ,